Breakout Session 2

Community is the Secret: 
Leadership and Personal Development Techniques from the PMB

Presented by Justin Mertz / Schindler Education Center 301
The Panther Marching Band is the largest collaborative organization on the UNI Campus with a 125-year history of performance excellence. How do we do it? It starts with a deep and comprehensive Leadership training program. Before we play a single note or take a single step we work on people, helping students understand what it takes to build a collaborative community and what it takes to lead your peers and colleagues in a goal-oriented organization. Our concepts and techniques come from a wide variety of approaches, help students grow into the best versions of themselves, and can be applied to any organization, musical or otherwise. Come and see how you can create and foster a positive collaborative community in any context. 

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Intercultural Communication: Perspectives in Practice

Presented by Ava Deitrich and Lauren Rein-Hamberg / Schindler Education Center 303
The Office of International Engagement (OIE) will engage participants in intercultural communication through the perspectives of the many populations represented on the UNI campus. With a particular emphasis on international communities, OIE aims to foster dialogue around the intercultural dynamics underlying everyday interactions and to examine how student experiences and assumptions influence engagement with staff and faculty. Through open discussion and shared reflection, participants will explore strategies for more effectively supporting, engaging with, and uplifting students and colleagues in our daily work.

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netWORKing: Building Connections Across Campus

Presented by Jordan Cornwell and Shelly Christensen / Schindler Education Center 304
This session explores the often‑overlooked power of internal networking and how building relationships across your workplace can transform both individual careers and organizational culture. By providing participants with a look at simple, practical techniques, they will learn how we’ve intentionally met new colleagues, built relationships across departments and gotten involved in campus initiatives - strategies they can adapt and put into practice for building connections within the UNI community.

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Using TIAA’s Online Tools to Reach Your Retirement Goals

Presented by TIAA / Schindler Education Center 306
TIAA’s goal is to make it easy to connect with your retirement plan and take the best next steps in helping you achieve the retirement you desire and deserve—whether online or through our mobile app.  We’ll will walk through several tools and resources to help keep you up to date on your retirement goals. We’ll highlight: navigating through the TIAA.org site and mobile app, highlighting important online tools, and education through our Essentials Hub.

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Walking the Path of the Whole Self

Presented by Jennifer Jass / Schindler Education Center 308
We often treat wellness as a series of disconnected tasks, yet our health is a single, winding path where every step matters. This session invites you to walk through the ten essential elements of a vibrant life. From the quiet restoration of sleep and breath to the expansive energy of nature, connection, and creative joy, we will explore how these practices interweave to support the whole person. Join us to discover how to integrate movement, mindfulness, and spiritual practice into a sustainable rhythm that honors your entire self. You will leave with a personalized map to guide your journey, ensuring every part of your 'whole self' is cared for.

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Turning What You Do Into What Matters

Presented by Connie Hansen / Schindler Education Center 309
Come participate in this high-energy workshop for people who want their work (and life) to feel more meaningful - without getting heavy or awkward. Ever been asked “What do you do?” and felt like the answer didn’t really explain who you are or why it matters? This interactive workshop helps participants uncover the deeper purpose behind what they do - through stories, laughter, sticky notes, and a few surprisingly honest moments. No lectures. No pressure to “find your passion.” Just practical insight and real connection.

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